What is the ideal number of colleges to apply to?

I am a junior in high school, and I have begun researching colleges. I hear different opinions on this, so I wanted to ask: What’s the ideal number of colleges you should apply to?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how many colleges to apply to, as it depends on the individual student's circumstances and preferences. However, a commonly recommended approach is to use the "balanced list" strategy.

The balanced list strategy suggests applying to around 8-12 colleges, which should consist of a combination of safety, target, and reach schools. Here's a basic breakdown of the three types of schools in this context:

1. Safety schools: These are institutions where your academic profile (including grades and test scores) significantly surpasses that of their average admitted student. You should have a very strong chance of being admitted to safety schools. Aim to apply to 2-4 safety schools.

2. Target schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is similar to the average admitted student, and you have a reasonable chance of being admitted. These should make up the bulk of your applications, and you should apply to about 3-5 target schools.

3. Reach schools: These are highly selective institutions where your academic profile is below that of the average admitted student. Although your chances of being accepted to a reach school are lower, it's still worth applying if you have a genuine interest in attending. Apply to 2-3 reach schools.

If you're unsure whether a particular school is a safety, target, or reach for you personally, check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator. This invaluable tool factors in all quantifiable elements of your profile, including your grades, course rigor, test scores (if you have them), and activities to give you personalized odds of acceptance at hundreds of colleges based on how well you stack up against the average accepted student. The engine will also give you suggestions for how you could be a more competitive applicant, which could be useful if one of your top-choice schools is currently in the reach category.

It's important to note that while following the balanced list strategy can help manage your college application process, you should also consider your personal needs and resources. The process can be time-consuming and expensive, so take into account your available time, financial resources, and application fee waivers when determining the final number of schools to apply to.

Finally, don't forget to research each college thoroughly, to ensure they offer the programs, campus environment, and resources that align with your academic and personal goals. Quality trumps quantity when it comes to college applications - if you're applying to only 5 schools, but you're genuinely enthusiastic about all of them and have a good shot of being accepted to at least one of them, there's no need to inflate your list with schools you aren't genuinely excited about.

Best of luck with crafting your college list!